Window structures



United States PatentO Ffice WINDOW STRUCTURES Application October 31, 1956, Serial No. 619,460

5 Claims. (Cl. 20-12) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 521,185, led July 11, 1955, now Patent No. 2,878,513, patented April 1, 1958.

This invention relates to window structures, and particularly to such window structures of the friction balanced double hung type.

Window structures of the aforesaid general type have been widely used in embodiments wherein the sash were capable of quick installation and removal, and in most prior structures of this general character the sash are balanced or held in place by lateral pressure applied by a laterally yieldable guideway along one edge of the sash. When the sash are to be removed, the sash are moved or forced in one direction laterally against the yielding guideway so that the sash is released from the opposite sash guideway.

The laterally yieldaible guideway that is used along each -edge of each sash in such window structures is pressed outwardly away from the jamb of the window frame by spring means that are located between the.

mounting portion of the clip so that the extended ends v of the bow spring may bear against rear surfaces of the guideway and expose the central portions of the bow spring for `yielding engagement with the jamb. The present invention is concerned with spring structure of my co-pending application, and in particular it is an ob- 2,874,421 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 have contemplated applying that principle. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principle may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan sectional view of a window frame and sash assembly having a guideway and spring structure embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the spring clip.

For purposes of disclosure, the invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a window structure of the kind illustrated in my aforesaid co-pending application, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this window structure is fragmentally shown in a structure that embodies a Window frame 21 and a sash 22. This structure is of the kind in which the sash is adapted to be tilted inwardly for cleaning o-r to be readily removed and replaced as described in more detail in my aforesaid co-pending application. It might be pointed out also, that the present invention is adapted for use in o-ther window mounting structures and arrangements such, for example, as the structure shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 587,120, filed May 24, 1956, which became Patent No.

` 2,828,514 on April l, 1958.

ject of the present invention to provide such a spring Y' structure that maybe associated with the guideway in such a manner that the spring clip does not mar the surface of the guideway. Another important object of the present invention is to enable a spring structure to be provided that is exceptionally simple in its form and which may be manufactured rapidly and economically.

Other and related objects of the present invention are I to provide a novel and improved spring structure that may be readily and easily mounted on o r be removed from the guideway with which it is to be used, to provide such a spring clip structure which applies the resilient forces evenly to the material of the guideway over a relatively large area of the guideway, thus to enable relatively thin material to be used in the guideway.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparentfrom the followingdescription and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing which, by4 way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principle thereof and 'what I now consider to be the best mode in which I As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame 21 is of a simpliiied form that is made without a parting-stop, and since the opposite jamb of the Window may be of identical construction, only the left-hand side member or jamb 25 is shown. This jamb 25 is illustrated only as to the inner portion thereof where an inner stop 25-1 is employed, and the jamb may ofcourse have the usual outer stop in the properly spaced relation. These stops serve to provide a wide space along the exposed side of the jamb 25 in which vertical sash-mounting channels 30 are disposed as will be described, and it will be understood that the frame has the usual header and sill.

In the form herein shown each window sash 22 has a separately formed sash-mounting channel 30 at each of its edges, and the channel 30 is utilized in identical form but reversed positioning to provide the sash runways on both sides of the frame. ln accomplishing the removable and/or inwardly tiltable mounting of the sash, at least one of the channels for each sash is mounted for yielding movement laterally toward the jamb on which it is mounted. The present invention is concerned with the spring means that are interposed between the channel 30 and the jamb 25 for attaining such yielding mounting of the channel, and such spring means under the present invention are herein illustrated as embodied in spring members S that will be described in detail hereinafter.

The'mounting channel 30 is uniform in cross section throughout its length, and is thus adapted to be formed by continuous highspeed processes such as rolling. Thus, the channel 30 is shown as being formed from a thin sheet of metal such as an aluminum sheet. The overall width of the channel 30 is just slightly more than the thickness of a standard window sash, and this added thickness is equal to one half the horizontal clearance space that is required between the sash for the usual meeting rear structure.

The mounting channel 30 as shown in Figs. l and 2 comprises a rolled-section made from thin sheet metal, and this channel has opposite edge walls 30N and 30W of equal height and in parallel relation, and at their rear edges R the edge walls 30N and 30W have inturned hems 32H. At their forward edges the walls 30W and 30N are turned or bent toward each other in a common plane to provide walls 33N and 33W which are lof different widths as will be described. At the adjacent edges of the walls 33N and 33W the metal is bent rearwardly to form walls 34N and 34W that extend about one-half the distance toward the plane of the rear edges R. The metal is then bent inwardly 'from the rear edges of the two walls 34N and 34W to provide walls 35N and 35W that are located in a common plane parallel to the plane of the forward walls 33N and 33W. The walls 35N and 35W terminate short of each other, and the metal is bent rearwardly from the adjacent edges of the walls 35N and 35W to provide parallel spaced walls 35N and 36W which are parallel to the walls SGN and 39W, and are connected at their rear edges by a wall 37 located in the plane of the rear edges R.

The walls 34N and 34W thus constitute side walls of a main sash locating and retaining groove eil, the bottom of which is defined by the walls 35N and 35W, and this groove 46 is adapted to receive a projecting tongue 41 that is formed on the adjacent edge of the side stile 22S of the sash. The tongue 41 is formed by rabbetting the vertical corners of the side stile 22S. Thus, the outside corner of the stile 22S is rabbetted to provide a side surface for the tongue 4I, and a right angularly related surface that may bear flat against the surface of either the wall 33W or 33N. The rabbet at the other or inner vertical edge of the side stile 22S is of a special form that enables the tilting movement of the sash 22 to be attained as described in both of my aforesaid co-pending applications. Thus, the special rabbet at the inner edge of the sash 22 has one surface that may bear at against the otherof the two walls 33N or 33W, while the other side surface of the rabbet defines the other side of the tongue 41. This other side surface of the rabbet is formed as a sloping or curved cam surface flC, and this cam surface utilized, as described in my aforesaid co-pending application, to enable the sash 22 to be tilted inwardly about pivots 25? that are provided on the sides of stiles 22S of the sash 22 near the lower edges of the sash. This cam action is described in detail in such co-pending applications.

The walls 36W and 35N and the wall 37 serve to define a clearance groove which enables the mounting to the channel 30 to be readily accomplished. Thus, holes are provided at spaced points along the wall 37 and securing means such as screws 47 may be extended thro-ugh these openings so that the heads of the screws are disposed at out-of-the-way locations near the bottom of the clearance groove. The screws 47 are threaded into the jamb and may thus, hold the channels 30 in position and limit the outward extent of movement that may be imparted to the channels by the spring means S. The adjacent channels 30 on each jamb 25 are so positioned that the walls 33W are side by side, as will be evident in Fig. l, and these walls 33W thus provide the horizontal spacing between the two sash of an installation to accommodate the usual meeting rail structure.

The spring means S of the present invention are shown in detail in Figs. 1 to 3 and are of such a character that they may be made economically and may be readily installed and removed. Such vsprings also cooperate with the channels 30 to apply the spring pressure theretoin an effective and well distributed manner so that unde sired deformation of the channel is avoided. Referring particularly to Fig. 3 ofthe drawing, it is noted that the spring means S comprises a central mounting clip 50 that has two bo-w-type springs 51 extended in opposite directions from the clip 50, and the clip 50 is so formed and arranged that it may be snapped into a locked-position within the hollow space in the rear side of the channel. Under, and in accordancewith the present invention, the clip 50 and the bow-springs 5i are formed integrally from a single piece of spring steel and by so forming the spring means S, manufacturing and operational advantages are attained as will be discussed hereinafter. Thus, the clip 59 is made relatively narrow to provide a U-shaped central portion 56C that is'complemental to the surfaces defined bythe walls 36Nand 36W Iand 37 ofthe channel. In other words, the U-shaped central portion 50C of the clip 50 is so formed that it may snugly embrace the outside surfaces of the walls that form the clearance channel or groove 4S.

At the open end of the U-shaped portion 50C, base members 50N and SW are extended laterally in a common plane, and the base members 50N and 50W are of different lengths as will be evident in Figs. l and 3. The base member 50N is of such a length as to extend from the wall 36N to a point spaced somewhat from the wall 30N, and at its end a securing or latching wall SGL is formed so as to extend in the general direction of the side walls of the U-shaped portion, but so as to diverge slightly therefrom. The height of the latching wall 50L is such that when the clip 5) is firmly seated within the back of the channel 36, and end edge of the wall SOL will snap into position against the forward edge of the hem 32H. The other base wall 53W is somewhat longer than the wall 50N, so that a latching wall SGL at its end assumes a similar latching relation with respect to the hem 32H of the edge wall 39W. The latching action is improved by forming an inward depression 50D in the walls SQL, thus to make the corner portions of the ends of the walls SUL form latching ears or spring ears that serve as the active latching surfaces; and with this arrangement, the curved central portion of the rear end edge of the wall fa'L is exposed adjacent the hem 32H, thus to facilitate the release of the clip S0 when this is desired.

The springs 51, as shown in Fig. 3 constitute integral extensions of the base walls 50W and 50N, and these springs are extended in opposite directions as shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the springs 51 differ in width and are of substantially the same width as the walls 50W and 50N to which they are respectively joined. With this arrangement the clip 50 is in effect balanced when the clip is being inserted into position on the rear face of channel 30, and it also balances the forces applied to the clip in use so as to prevent undesired release or unlatching of the clip. The ends of the clip 50 are preferably curled as to 51C, and with this arrangement the ends of the springs may slide along the rear surfaces of the respective walls 35W and 35N when the springs are compressed.

When the spring means yS are put into position in a channel 30, the fiat and unbroken faces of the walls 50W and 50N act as pressure walls and bear at against the walls 35W and 35N, and thus the resilient forces are applied to the channel 30 over wide areas in a uniform manner so that the-smooth form of the walls 35N and 35W of the channel is not disturbed.

With the spring means S formed as thus described, uniformity of the product is assured, and the manufacturing operations may be performed by high speed and economical process of stamping and forming. In this respect, it will be observed that the blank that is used to form the spring means S is generally of what may be termed a Z-shape thus to enable limiting nesting of the forming or blanking cuts that are made in the original sheet ofmatcn'alfand this promotes economy of production. l

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple and improved spring means for use in mounting the spring-channels of double hung window installations, and it will also be apparent that this improved spring means avoids'damage to the channel in use, and that such spring means may be made economically and with uniform quantity.

Thus while I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those skilled Ain the art without departing from the spirit 'and'scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a spring 'mounting structure for use in removable windows, said structure comprising a mounting clip adapted to tit into the open back of a sash mounting channel so as to extend transversely of such channel,

spring ears on said clip at its opposite ends for engagement with retaining shoulders on such a channel, a pair of bow springs formed integrally with said clip) so as to extend in opposite directions from said clip transversely with respect thereto, and said springs having curved surfaces at the ends thereof adapted to slide easily along rear surfaces of such a channel when said springs are tensioned.

2. A yielding sash guide assembly comprising an elongated channel of uniform cross section throughout its length and providing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and a wall portion connecting the forward edges of said edge Walls to provide a sash guide groove with a bottom wall for such groove having a rearwardly depressed mounting and clearance groove formed therein midway between the sides of said sash guide groove, said clearance groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, and said edge walls having inturned hemmed edges at the rear edges thereof, and a spring structure mounted on the rear sides of said channels and comprising a mounting clip inserted into the back of each channel and having locking ears engaged with said hemmed edges, and bow springs formed integrally with and as extensions of said clip and extended in opposite directions from said clip.

3. In a spring mounting structure for use in removable windows, said structure comprising a mounting clip adapted to fit into the open back of a sash mounting channel so as to extend transversely of such channel, and having pressure transmitting walls adapted to bear flat against opposed walls of such channel, spring ears on said clip at its opposite ends substantially at right angles to said pressure transmitting walls for engagement with retaining shoulders on such a channel to hold the clip in place on the channel, a pair of bow springs formed integrally with said pressure transmitting walls and extending in opposite directions from said clip transversely with respect thereto, and said springs having curved surfaces at the ends thereof adapted to slide easily along rear surfaces of such a channel when said springs are tensioned.

4. A yielding sash guide assembly comprising an elongated channel of uniform cross section throughout its length and providing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and a wall portion connecting the forward edges of said edge walls to provide a sash guide groove with a bottom wall for such groove having a rearwardly depressed mounting and clearance groove formed therein midway between the sides of said sash guide groove, said clearance groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, and said edge walls having inturned hemmed edges at the rear edges thereof, and a spring structure mounted on the rear sides of said channels and comprising a mounting clip inserted into the back of each channel and having locking ears engaged with said hemmed edges, and bow springs having one end fixed on said clip and extended in opposite directions from said clip.

5. In a spring mounting structure for use in removable windows, said structure comprising a mounting clip adapted to fit into the open back of a sash mounting channel so as to extend transversely of such channel, spring ears on said clip at its opposite ends for engagement with retaining shoulders on suchy a channel, a pair of bow springs each having one end rigidly fixed on said clip, said bow springs extending in opposite directions from said clip transversely with respect thereto, and said springs having curved surfaces at the ends thereof adapted to slide easily along rear surfaces of such a channel when said springs are tensioned.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,370,890 Gusy Mar. 8, 1921 1,800,609 Drake Apr. 14, 1931 1,908,229 Dyer May 9, 1933 2,080,769 Fitts May 18, 1937 2,543,913 Krouse Mar. 6, 1951 2,651,083 Nardulli Sept. 8, 1953 2,662,255 Serley et al Dec. 15, 1953 2,677,156 Holmes May 4, 1954 2,680,035 Amy et al June 1, 1954 2,761,182 Love et al Sept. 4, 1956 2,778,069 Starck et al Ian. 22, 1957 2,813,312 Love et al Nov. 19, 19,57 

